Sarah's Legal Costs to Defend Free Speech

Please help me defend my right to free truthful speech. Since June 2022, I have been on my own in fighting a lawsuit filed by Michael Boren, a multi-millionaire, who claims that he was defamed in 2021 when I joined hundreds of others in opposing his permit for a private airport on his property located on a scenic easement in the heart of the Sawtooth Valley, Idaho.

The District Court Judge twice dismissed Boren’s claims against me but I was not awarded attorney fees. The costs are devastating. $25,000 has been paid out of my retirement account for the two District Court wins. Now I have the daunting prospect of needing another $20,000 for a threatened appeal to the Idaho Supreme Court.

In his dismissal, the Judge found that my participation in the public hearing process was protected free speech, but typical of these SLAPP lawsuits (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) brought by wealthy individuals, the legal challenges and appeals are pursued as a way of chilling future opposition and crippling their opponents with legal bills.

Everyone should have the right to speak out in writing and in public hearings to advocate for strong protections for Idaho’s treasured Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) and not face a lawsuit! Millions of public dollars have been spent to protect the SNRA for its historic, natural, scenic, and fish and wildlife values. I spoke against the airport not the person.

Even though Michael Boren was issued his permit in August 2021, he sued me, Dick Fosbury and Gary Gadwa, a year later, potentially naming other John Does, with the claim that I and "the opposition group disseminated defamatory statements concerning Boren knowing they would harm Boren’s reputation, subject him to ridicule and anger from the community".

All of Boren’s claims against us were dismissed in October 2022. “In this case, there is the potential for a great chilling effect on constitutional rights not just for these named defendants but for all the members of the public who spoke on this issue, which was undoubtedly a matter of public concern in which they were entitled to involvement,” the Judge wrote in his decision.

In December 2022, an amended lawsuit was filed and was subsequently dismissed. https://www.lmtribune.com/outdoors/new-lawsuit-filed-over-sawtooth-airstrip/article_daaac3b8-197b-51e8-996b-3490c0ea58f4.html

Please help me in this seemingly never-ending lawsuit so I can pay my substantial and increasing legal fees to defend the rights of all of us to speak freely. Protecting free speech and the public’s right to advocate for Sawtooth National Recreation Area and other special places must be upheld.

Your help means a lot.